Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
The question comes from Elihu's argument to Job in Job 32-36, continuing the dispute between Job and his friends, in which Elihu offers his counsel but receives no answer. It belongs also to the Lord's challenge to Job, which establishes Christ's authority as Creator who laid the earth's foundations, set its measurements and stable supports, and bounded the seas by decree. The surrounding account presents Job's self-justification amid his friends' false accusations, while affirming God's power and wisdom.
The verse asks why a person strives or contends against God, since he gives no account of his matters and is not required to explain all his actions, purposes, dealings, or providences. God is everything while man is exceedingly small, unworthy, and of small account, and God's infinite power and wisdom shown in creation prove the same is true in his moral dealings with men. What is true in a material sense that Job can only partly understand is also true where eternal life is at stake, and Job can understand very little of God's great purposes.
The verse exposes Job's folly in questioning God's providences when he could not understand even common things constantly before him. Job had asked that the Almighty come and speak to him as a man, and God condescended to speak to his understanding, using those common things to expose that folly while disclosing many wonderful revelations. Job's friends wrongly assumed that suffering proved God's displeasure, but a good person may suffer without being under condemnation. God sees the end from the beginning and may work through suffering for his glory and the sufferer's good, so people should trust him rather than foolishly accuse him.
People have no standing to contend with God or demand an account of his decisions, for he may dispose of his creatures as he pleases without their consent, and they should submit to his will. The passage shows that God may allow physical affliction to teach a person more truth. God's permission of affliction is purposeful because he can bring good to his people through it, so they can trust that his providence is wise and their affairs are in good hands.
When answers to prayers for temporal needs do not match what was asked, this is not by itself a sign of God's displeasure. People should submit to his sovereign wisdom and love, since his ways cannot be fully understood. The lesson is to stop defending self, learn that God is infinitely wise and infinitely good, and truly repent and humble oneself in dust and ashes, and God in his goodness and pity will still notice and make the latter end prosperous.
The question comes from Elihu's argument to Job in Job 32-36, continuing the dispute between Job and his friends, in which Elihu offers his counsel but receives no answer. It belongs also to the Lord's challenge to Job, which establishes Christ's authority as Creator who laid the earth's foundations, set its measurements and stable supports, and bounded the seas by decree. The surrounding account presents Job's self-justification amid his friends' false accusations, while affirming God's power and wisdom.
The verse asks why a person strives or contends against God, since he gives no account of his matters and is not required to explain all his actions, purposes, dealings, or providences. God is everything while man is exceedingly small, unworthy, and of small account, and God's infinite power and wisdom shown in creation prove the same is true in his moral dealings with men. What is true in a material sense that Job can only partly understand is also true where eternal life is at stake, and Job can understand very little of God's great purposes.
The verse exposes Job's folly in questioning God's providences when he could not understand even common things constantly before him. Job had asked that the Almighty come and speak to him as a man, and God condescended to speak to his understanding, using those common things to expose that folly while disclosing many wonderful revelations. Job's friends wrongly assumed that suffering proved God's displeasure, but a good person may suffer without being under condemnation. God sees the end from the beginning and may work through suffering for his glory and the sufferer's good, so people should trust him rather than foolishly accuse him.
People have no standing to contend with God or demand an account of his decisions, for he may dispose of his creatures as he pleases without their consent, and they should submit to his will. The passage shows that God may allow physical affliction to teach a person more truth. God's permission of affliction is purposeful because he can bring good to his people through it, so they can trust that his providence is wise and their affairs are in good hands.
When answers to prayers for temporal needs do not match what was asked, this is not by itself a sign of God's displeasure. People should submit to his sovereign wisdom and love, since his ways cannot be fully understood. The lesson is to stop defending self, learn that God is infinitely wise and infinitely good, and truly repent and humble oneself in dust and ashes, and God in his goodness and pity will still notice and make the latter end prosperous.